Ambulatory uroflowmetric monitoring: recommendations for implementation in clinical practice

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Urodynamic examination is recommended for patients with urinary disorders. In some categories of patients, it can be replaced by performing uroflowmetry in the patients usual home environment.
 AIM: development of recommendations for health care managers and urologists on the introduction of ambulatory uroflowmetric monitoring and its use in everyday clinical practice.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: On the basis of the e-health laboratory of the Institute of Digital Medicine of the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov, the Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University) developed a unique method of home monitoring of uroflowmetry in male patients with symptoms of impaired urination using the wireless portable uroflowmeter Flowselfi developed in the Russian Federation. Based on experience, recommendations have been developed for the implementation of this method in clinical practice.
 RESULTS: Equipment for home uroflowmetry should be reliable, simple, intuitive, affordable, portable, and able to wirelessly communicate with a patients smartphone or tablet for data accumulation and subsequent transmission to a doctor for processing the results. The patient should have preserved cognitive functions and be motivated to perform uroflowmetry, understand its importance in further treatment. The article provides typical instructions for patients and urologists using ambulatory uroflowmetry at home.
 CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory uroflowmetric monitoring (home uroflowmetry, outpatient home uroflowmetry) is a promising method of remote monitoring of patients requiring urination monitoring, including neurogenic and non-neurogenic urination disorders.